In modern-day Beijing, a young martial artist, Chen Lin-Hu, leads a tranquil and disciplined life, adhering to the pure teachings of Tai Chi—a defensive and spiritual form of martial arts. He works as a courier by day but his true passion lies with practicing Tai Chi under the wing of his wise and traditional master. His skill earns him notoriety as he partakes in an effort to save his master's temple from demolition, drawing the attention of spectators during a public demonstration of his prowess. Among the onlookers is a mysterious and affluent businessman with a deep interest in the martial arts.

The businessman, Donaka Mark, runs an underground fight ring where wealthy patrons bet on lethal and unregulated combat. Observing the potential in Lin-Hu's abilities, Donaka recruits him with the promise of easy money that could save the temple. Torn between his moral convictions and the temple's urgent need, Lin-Hu succumbs to the offer but is increasingly drawn into the violent and corrupt world Donaka oversees. As he delves deeper into this dark realm, he finds himself at odds with his training, facing not just external conflicts as he ascends through the fight circuit, but internal turmoil as he struggles to reconcile his actions with the peaceful tenets of Tai Chi.